What This Project Is
The Marlowe is a Build-to-Rent apartment development in Phillip, delivered as part of the Southern Cross precinct.
It brings together affordable and market rental housing in one integrated development.
Built for people who want to live close to work, services and transport, but are finding well-located rentals increasingly out of reach.
Within easy reach of Canberra Hospital and the surrounding health precinct
The Marlowe is delivered through a joint venture
CHC Australia
CHC is the largest provider of affordable and social housing based in Canberra. We are a Tier 1 registered Community Housing Provider, with over 25 years’ experience delivering for the Canberra community.
Canberra Southern Cross Club
Landowner and development partner
Supported by strong partnerships
Lockbridge
Development advisor
ACT Government
Funding partner
Housing Australia
Funding partner
What’s Being Delivered
Coming in 2027
- Affordable rental homes for essential workers and priority cohorts
- Market rental apartments
- Professionally managed Build-to-Rent model
- Connecting housing with health, services and employment
- All in one location, at the centre of Canberra’s inner south
Homes
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140 rental apartments
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70 affordable homes
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70 market rental homes
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Mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments
Building & Precinct
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Two mid-rise apartment buildings
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Shared basement and integrated design
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Part of the Southern Cross master-planned precinct
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Consistent design quality across affordable and market homes
Location
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Located in Phillip, adjacent to Woden Town Centre
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Close to Canberra Hospital and the wider health precinct
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Easy access to employment, services and public transport
Project timeline
Site works commence
Early 2026
Sod turning and project launch
June 2026
Construction underway
EOIs Open
Applications open
Completion
2027 (anticipated)
Move-ins commence
2027
Who it’s for
Affordable Housing (70 homes)
Access
Rents set below market for eligible households (74.9% of market rate).
Who it’s for
We welcome applications from individuals and families who meet CHC’s affordable housing eligibility criteria. When applications open, you can submit an application form.
Priority groups
Healthcare, retail, education, community services, veterans, older Canberrans and other working households.
How to apply
Must meet CHC affordable housing eligibility criteria.
Purpose
To support individuals and families by providing safe, affordable housing in a well-connected and desirable location.
What is “affordable housing”, and am I eligible?
At CHC, affordable housing is designed to help people on low and moderate incomes access secure, long‑term rental housing at a lower cost than the private market.
At The Marlowe, Phillip, rents are set at around 75% of the local market rent and are designed so that eligible households generally spend no more than 30% of their gross income (before‑tax) on rent.
You may qualify if you:
- are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- do not own property or have assets or savings that could meet your housing needs.
- have lived in the ACT for at least 6 months.
- can sustain a tenancy and demonstrate capacity to save.
- meet the income eligibility requirements.
How rent and income eligibility work together
To be eligible:
- Your combined household income must not exceed the maximum thresholds set by the ACT Government
- Your rent should not exceed 30% of your gross household income
These two settings work together to ensure housing is both accessible and sustainable for your household over the long term.
Affordable Income eligibility thresholds (ACT maximum)
Applicable to The Marlowe’s one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes.
| Household composition | Maximum household income |
|---|---|
| One adult | $100,000 |
| Two adults | $100,000 |
| Sole parent with one child | $100,000 |
| Sole parent with two children | $107,710 |
| Sole parent with three children | $128,542 |
| Couple with one child | $107,650 |
| Couple with two children | $128,482 |
| Couple with three children | $149,314 |
Market Rental (70 homes)
Access
Market-rate rental.
Who it’s for
General rental market.
How to apply
Leased through standard market rental process.
Purpose
Support precinct activation and long-term rental supply.
Why It Matters
Well-located rental housing in Canberra’s inner south is increasingly difficult to access.
This is especially true for people working in and around the Woden health precinct, where long hours and shift work make proximity to home more important.
The Marlowe responds to that demand at scale.
This is about:
- Living closer to work and essential services
- Reducing travel time and daily cost pressure
- Creating more time at home, not in transit
- Delivering secure rental housing in a location where it’s needed most
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Enquire now
The Marlowe, Phillip is coming in 2027.
